Search Documents

By Corwin L. Cooper

This vapor, which describes mining and milling methods and costs at the Knob Hill gold mine, is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on gold mining and milling practices in the United States. The mining properties owned or controlled by Knob Hill Mines, Inc., are situated in the Eureka mining district on a country road 2 miles up Eureka Gulch from the town of Republic, county seat of Ferry County, Wash. The district is about 140 miles northwest of Spokane by road and 35 miles south of the international boundary line. The altitude at the mine office is 2,700 feet.

Jan 1, 1940

By Robert Thurner

The underground car park "Admonterhof in the historical centre of Graz is an example for the technical and economical success of a complicated structural design using a concept on the basis of the observational method. The intention to built a 20 m deep excavation beneath a protected monument was accompanied by some essential issues: the preservation of the existing state avoiding extensive displacements by means of a girder grid of reinforced concrete, its support on large bored piles and small steel-tube piles with possible active compensation of differential settlements, the excavation support in none built-up areas with secant bored piles, the underpinning of existing buildings with different structures by means of jet grouting. Furthermore the hydraulic gradient and the permeability of a rock formation in a part of the excavation had to be explored with the purpose to control the inflow of groundwater with a level difference of more than 10 m.

Jan 1, 2006

By Euclid P. Worden

INTRODUCTION Today, conventional raise boring is an accepted method of development in underground mines and on major construction projects. Over the years that this technique, and its associated machines and tools, have been under development, many articles have been written on the subject. To a great extent, these papers have reported operating results of one or more specific projects or have been generalized reviews of state-of-the-art machines and tools. This paper is intended as a review of the technique from an operational standpoint. Conventional raise boring, as opposed to the related variants box hole drilling and underground blast hole drilling, is a two step process consisting of the pilot hole drilling and reaming cycles. This author has covered the subject of pilot hole drilling in another article (1) . A good review of the current machines and equipment has been presented by Monroe (2) and an overall review of this entire technology was published by E&MJ (3) and Mining Journal, April, 1983 (4) . The subject of the reaming cycle is presented here together with some of the technical aspects of how the drilling tools are intended to be used. OPERATIONS Bit Change After the pilot bit has broken through at the end of the pilot hole cycle, a changeover takes place at both the machine and

Jan 1, 1985

By Rob Domotor

This paper tells the story of using controlled surface and underground blasting methods to excavate hard rock in three areas on Australia’s largest road infrastructure project; the Airportlink Project in Brisbane; worth a total value of AUD $4.8 billion. The project used blasting methods including design, modelling, drilling and loading of the explosives that had never been used before in Australia, some of these were probably unique in the world.

Jan 1, 2012

By W. Wittke, J. Gattermann

ABSTRACT: One alternative to close a radioactive waste repository in rock salt is the construction of a “Cross Section Closure (CSC)“ sealing barrier. The proposed material for the CSC is highly compacted bentonite. To investigate the swelling behaviour of a highly compacted bentonite a large number of laboratory tests were performed. In addition, large scale model test were carried out to demonstrate the development of a nearly homogeneous and isotropic swelling pressure. The results of the large scale model tests were interpreted numerically based on the models for stress-strain behaviour and water uptake which are implemented in the finite element codes FEST03 and HYDOPO. The investigations show a good agreement of the results of the model tests and the corresponding analyses and show, that the theoretical models are capable of describing the behaviour of sealing structures based on highly compacted bentonite. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Eine Möglichkeit für den Verschluß eines Endlagers für radioaktive Abfälle im Steinsalz ist die Konstruktion einer Querschnittsabdichtung aus hochverdichtetem Bentonit. Zur Untersuchung des Quellverhaltens von hochverdichtetem Bentonit wurden eine große Anzahl von Laborversuchen durchgeführt. Um die Entwicklung eines nahezu homogenen und isotropen Quelldrucks nachzuweisen, wurden darüber hinaus auch Modellversuche in größerem Maßstab durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse dieser Modellversuche wurden im Hinblick auf die Wasseraufnahme und das Spannungs-Verformungsverhalten mit Hilfe numerischer Berechnungen mit den finite Element Programmen FEST 03 und HYDOPO interpretiert. Die Untersuchungen zeigen gute Übereinstimmungen zwischen Versuchs- und Berechnungsergebnissen. Die numerischen Modelle sind somit geeignet, das Verhalten von Abdichtungsbauwerken aus hochverdichtetem Bentonit zutreffend zu beschreiben. RÉSUMÉ: Une possibilité pour fermer un dépôt final de déchets radioactifs dans sel gemme est la construction d'un étanchement de coupe transversale, fabriqué de bentonite fortement compacté. Pour étudier le comportement de gonflement de bentonite fortement compacté, de nombreux essais en laboratoire ont été exécutés. En outre, des essais sur modèle sur une plus grande échelle ont aussi été exécutes afin de prouver le développement d'une pression de gonflement à peu près homogène et isotrope. Les résultats de ces essais sur modèle étaient interprétés en vue de l'absorption d'eau et du comportement contraintes-déformations par le moyen de calculs numériques avec les programmes d'éléments finis FEST03 et HYDOPO. Les études montrent de bonnes conformités entre des résultats d'essai et de calcul. Les modèles numériques sont ainsi capables de décrire justement le comportement d'ouvrages d'étanchement fabriqués de bentonite fortement compacté.

Jan 1, 2003

By Dave Kay, Young-Suk Song

To meet the needs of South Korea's rapidly expanding economy, a large number of infrastructure projects are under way to improve transportation efficiency within the nation. These projects include high-speed rail links between major population centres and improvements to the road network. Being densely populated and geographically mountainous, infrastructure development in Korea requires a significant amount of tunnelling. Owing to the predominantly hard granitic nature of rock, drill and blast is the preferred method of tunnel advance. The Korean tunneller, however, faces the same pressures as those of his international counterpart in that both cost and production targets need to be achieved while meeting expectations of both community and regulator.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. N. Van der Merwe, D. P. Roberts

The two components of pillar design formula being used in South Africa are pillar strength and pillar load. While considerable effort has been directed to the determination of pillar strength, the other half of the safety factor equation, the load, has not received the same amount of attention. The load acting on pillars has always been calculated using the Tributary Area Theory (TAT). This paper summarises the recent studies on coal pillar loading using various numerical models. It concludes that although there are meaningful differences under certain circumstances, there is still a compelling argument to use the TAT in coal pillar design. Les deux parties composantes de la formule de conception de pilier généralement utilisée en Afrique du Sud sont la résistance de pilier et la charge de pilier. Tandis que des efforts considérables on été dirigés vers la détermination de la résistance de pilier, l’autre moitié du facteur de sécurité n’a pas reçu la même attention. La charge agissant sur les piliers a toujours été calculée avec la Théorie d’Aire Tributaire (TAT). L’étude présente résume les études récentes sur la charge de pilier de charbon utilisant des modèles numériques variés. La conclusion est que bien qu’il y ait des différences significatives selon les circonstances, il y a toujours un argument puissant pour utiliser le TAT dans la conception de pilier de charbon. Die in Südafrika für die Auslegung von Pfeilern verwendeten zwei Formelkomponenten sind Pfeilerstärke und Pfeilerbelastung. Während beträchtlicher Aufwand zur Bestimmung der Pfeilerstärke gemacht wurde, wurde der anderen Hälfte der Sicherheitsfaktorsgleichung nicht die gleiche Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Die auf die Pfeiler wirkende Last wurde immer unter Verwendung der Tributary Area Theory (TAT) berechnet. Diese Arbeit fast neuere Studien betreffend der Belastung von Kohlepfeilern unter Verwendung verschiedener numerischer Modelle zusammen. Die Schlussfolderung ist, daß obwohl unter bestimmten Vorraussetzungen bedeutende Unterschiede existieren, nach wie vor ein bezwingendes Argument besteht TAT in der Kohlepfeilerauslegung zu verwenden.

Jan 1, 2003

By Albert H. Fay

This glossary is publi~hed- by the Bureau of Mines as a contribution' to the mining literature in the belief that it will fill a long-felt need. It contains about 20,000 terms; these include both technical and purely local terms related to metal mining, coal mining, quarrying, petroleum, and natural gas, and metallurgical works; names of useful, important, and common minerals and rocks; an<lgeological terms. It presents in one comprehensive volume the available standard, technical terms relating to the mining and mineral industry, as well as provincialisms that have been or are now in use in English-speaking countries. The glossary also includes many terms relating to ceramics and the clay industry, glass making, foundry practice, railway and building construction, electrical installation and power-plant equipment, and chemical terms relating to metallurgical practice. Complete lists of terms for' each of these allied industries are beyond the scope of this glossary. Paleontological terms, although closely associated with geology, are far removed from mining and metallurgical operations, and for this reason have been omitted. In a compilation of this magnitude, it is difficult, within a reasonable time to verify all definitions as to the latest usage. Much verifying was done and it is hoped that the best and latest definitions have been used. Reference to the publications cited will enable the reader to determine approximately the period when the definition was used. Definitions in use by engineers of high national or international reputation are given first preference. When definitions from different sources are the same, credit is given to the earlier author as being the original or nearest to the original source. Immediately following each term the name of the locality wherein the word is presumed to have originated or is widely used is given, where such information is available. The name of the author or source from which the definition was obtained follows the definition, and serves as a key to the publications listed. The terms selected from the various glossaries and publications examined have been compared with the Webster,

Jan 1, 1920

By Rick Wilkins

The stability of steep embankments is a major safety issue in open pit mining, highway passes, and earth filled dams. A failure in any one of these situations could mean a loss of very expensive equipment, a long term inconvenience, and more importantly, a loss of life. These possible catastrophes could be avoided by installing a reliable real time monitoring system. Robotic total stations (RTSs) give one possible cost effective solution to creating a near real time monitoring system. Repeated surveys at predetermined time intervals can automatically generate warnings if slope movements exceed a preset tolerance level. The variation in atmospheric refraction, combined with possible instabilities in reference targets, can make a monitoring system based on RTSs produce false alarms. A methodology has been developed at the Canadian Centre for Geodetic Engineering (CCGE) for reducing these systematic error effects. The methodology has been realized in the creation of a software package that has been successfully implemented at large earthen dams in California and at an open pit mine operation in British Columbia.

May 1, 2002

By Paul M. Tyler

The literature on radium is already voluminous, but mcuh of it is too technical to be intelligible to the average reader, and there is no single publication that covers certain economic features of the radium industry. As a result of the renewed interest in the possibilities of domestic carnotite deposits a number of requests have been made to the Bureau of Mines for information, more particularly with reference to the business aspects of the industry. In order to meet this apparent need, the present paper has been prepared from material available in the files of the bureau. The technical data are compiled from various sources and are believed to be reasonably dependable, but the attempt has been not so much to achieve meticulous scientific accuracy as to brim; together facts of industrial significance and popular interest. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Radium is a brilliant white metal that melts sharply at about 700°C. and volatilizes appreciably at that temperature. With an estimated specific gravity of nearly 6.0, it is more than twice as heavy as aluminum and 25 per cent lighter than irons. Although it has been isolated in its metallic state, it is not used in that form, partly because it tarnishes rapidly even in dry air (forming a nitride), partly because of the greater expense of reducing it to metal, and partly because of the difficulty of dealing with such minute quantities of material. It is used always in the form of its compounds, the most important of which from the vie point of utilization are the bromide, chloride, and sulphate.

Jan 1, 1930

By Geoffrey Hughes

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is a regional sewer authority that serves ten communities in the Providence, Rhode Island metropolitan area. From 1992 to 1999, the NBC developed a comprehensive facilities plan to abate Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) pollution in the Upper Narragansett Bay. The plan underwent many major evolutions during this period, most notably the addition of a stakeholder?s process by which NBC demonstrated a site-specific plan to control the pollutants and meet water quality standards. The favored solution consisted of deep tunnel storage with treatment at existing wastewater facilities that had been recently upgraded. In 1999, a final plan was accepted which included two tunnels, five CSO interceptors, twelve sewer separation projects, a wetland facility, and a wastewater treatment facility upgrade. The program is to be constructed over 20 years in three sequential phases (Figure 1). Phase I of the program includes a 4,963 m (16,284 ft) long, 7.9 m (26 ft) diameter, 70.1 m (230 ft) deep storage tunnel; seven drop shafts with connecting adits; ancillary facilities; and a pump station. Construction of Phase I began in 2001 and is expected to be operational by October 2008. This paper focuses on design and construction of the Fields Point Tunnel Pump Station (FPTPS)located at the south end of the main spine tunnel. A189 Ml/day (50 MGD) pump station is required to lift CSO flows from the tunnel to the Fields Point Wastewater Treatment Facility (FPWWTF). The pumps are to be housed in a 35.6 m × 18.6 m ×20.7 m (117 ft × 61 ft × 68 ft), 91.4 m (300 ft) deep cavern excavated in a complex meta-sedimentary rock of the Rhode Island Formation, and connected to the surface by 9.7 m (32 ft) and 3.4 m (11 ft) diameter shafts. Factors which influenced selection of the size, configuration and location of facilities included the preferred arrangement of pumps, critical aspects of site geology, and estimated cost. Technical and value engineering reviews also affected the final design. Following Notice to Proceed (NTP), concerns were raised by the contractor regarding constructability and design. Additional geotechnical investigation and independent engineering review were employed to validate the design assumptions. The cavern was successfully excavated and sup-ported in rock, completed on schedule and within budget in 2005. In 1992 the NBC retained Louis Berger Group (LBG) as Program Manager (PM) for the CSO Abatement Program. LBG thereafter formed a design team including: Jacobs Engineering Group(JEG) as the designer for underground structures and near surface collection facilities; Black and Veatch(B&V) to design the pumping system and associated facilities; Haley and Aldrich (H&A) to oversee the geotechnical program; and Malcolm Pirnie to design the system-wide instrumentation and control system. Construction management, resident engineering, and inspection services were provided by the joint venture Gilbane/Jacobs Associates (G/J).

Jan 1, 2008

By A. A. Sadegh

A laboratory investigation was carried out on the characterization and beneficiation of sillimanite ore. Petrographic analysis indicated that the ore consisted of massive elongated sillimanite grains in a matrix of hematite, garnet, feldspar and silica. A procedure for estimating the percentage of sillimanite was developed using float-sink and magnetic-separation techniques. A liberation study was carried out to determine the level of size reduction required to achieve sufficient liberation while ensuring that gravity concentration techniques would be applicable. Laboratory testing was performed on the liberated ore to investigate the applicability of using wide-angle dense-medium cycloning to upgrade this ore. Initially, medium-only tests were carried out using various size distributions of magnetite and ferrosilicon as the dense-medium solids to evaluate the effects of operating conditions on medium segregation. Depending on the medium solids and operating conditions, either positive of negative differentials (difference between the relative densities of the underflow and overflow streams) were obtained. Based on these results, separation tests were performed to process nominal -1.2-mm sillimanite ore. The results indicated that sillimanite concentration could be obtained using a medium relative density that was much lower than would typically be used in a dense-medium cyclone separation.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. Yianatos

The collection zone residence time distribution (RTD) of mechanical self-aerated flotation cells was characterized for liquid and solid per size class (-45 mm, +45-150 mm and +150 mm). It was found that a single large industrial cell with a volume of 130 to 250 m3, now used in plant operations, can be well represented by an LTST (large and small tank-in-series) model plus dead time. From a scale-up point of view, results showed a similar mixing behavior for industrial cells ranging from 130 to 250 m3. Also, single mechanical cells showed a similar mixing pattern (RTD) when compared to large pneumatic flotation columns. It was confirmed that for practical purposes, the mixing condition in a flotation bank of three or more cells in series can be well described by the classical N tanks-in-series model.

Jan 1, 2008

By John Marsden, Mike Botz

A variety of modeling techniques can be utilized to forecast metal production at heap leaching operations. These approaches reflect a wide range of complexity, flexibility, time to implement, cost, and accuracy. For many operators, a spreadsheet-based modeling technique is attractive since the calculations are directly accessible, models can often be developed by site staff, and the results are generally easy to extract and interpret. The authors have developed a spreadsheet-based modeling technique that provides a high degree of flexibility, while still considering detailed operating information for ore properties, leach kinetics, scaleup factors, lift height, and in-heap metal inventories. The technique involves establishing kinetic leach curves for each ore type to characterize metal extractions, followed by application of separate metal recovery curves to define the rate at which leached metals exit the heap in pregnant solution, taking into account delays due to the in-heap solution inventory. At any point in time, the difference between total metal extracted and total metal recovered is equal to the in-heap inventory of the leached metal. This modeling technique is particularly useful for larger multi-lift heaps where delays in metal recovery are appreciable due to in-heap solution holdup. The technique is also applicable to sites with multiple heaps, leach cycles, and/or metal recovery plants (e.g., carbon columns for gold; solvent extraction for copper). This paper describes the modeling technique, including input data required and methods for defining kinetic leach curves and metal recovery curves. The technique is compared against an alternative spreadsheet technique using a simplified in-heap solution inventory calculation to forecast metal production, which has proven to be effective at a number of sites.

By John Marsden, Mike Botz

A variety of modeling techniques can be utilized to forecast metal production at heap leaching operations. These approaches reflect a wide range of complexity, flexibility, time to implement, cost, and accuracy. For many operators, a spreadsheet-based modeling technique is attractive since the calculations are directly accessible, models can often be developed by site staff, and the results are generally easy to extract and interpret. The authors have developed a spreadsheet-based modeling technique that provides a high degree of flexibility, while still considering detailed operating information for ore properties, leach kinetics, scaleup factors, lift height, and in-heap metal inventories. The technique involves establishing kinetic leach curves for each ore type to characterize metal extractions, followed by application of separate metal recovery curves to define the rate at which leached metals exit the heap in pregnant solution, taking into account delays due to the in-heap solution inventory. At any point in time, the difference between total metal extracted and total metal recovered is equal to the in-heap inventory of the leached metal. This modeling technique is particularly useful for larger multi-lift heaps where delays in metal recovery are appreciable due to in-heap solution holdup. The technique is also applicable to sites with multiple heaps, leach cycles, and/or metal recovery plants (e.g., carbon columns for gold; solvent extraction for copper). This paper describes the modeling technique, including input data required and methods for defining kinetic leach curves and metal recovery curves. The technique is compared against an alternative spreadsheet technique using a simplified in-heap solution inventory calculation to forecast metal production, which has proven to be effective at a number of sites.

By John Marsden, Mike Botz

A variety of modeling techniques can be utilized to forecast metal production at heap leaching operations. These approaches reflect a wide range of complexity, flexibility, time to implement, cost, and accuracy. For many operators, a spreadsheet-based modeling technique is attractive since the calculations are directly accessible, models can often be developed by site staff, and the results are generally easy to extract and interpret. The authors have developed a spreadsheet-based modeling technique that provides a high degree of flexibility, while still considering detailed operating information for ore properties, leach kinetics, scaleup factors, lift height, and in-heap metal inventories. The technique involves establishing kinetic leach curves for each ore type to characterize metal extractions, followed by application of separate metal recovery curves to define the rate at which leached metals exit the heap in pregnant solution, taking into account delays due to the in-heap solution inventory. At any point in time, the difference between total metal extracted and total metal recovered is equal to the in-heap inventory of the leached metal. This modeling technique is particularly useful for larger multi-lift heaps where delays in metal recovery are appreciable due to in-heap solution holdup. The technique is also applicable to sites with multiple heaps, leach cycles, and/or metal recovery plants (e.g., carbon columns for gold; solvent extraction for copper). This paper describes the modeling technique, including input data required and methods for defining kinetic leach curves and metal recovery curves. The technique is compared against an alternative spreadsheet technique using a simplified in-heap solution inventory calculation to forecast metal production, which has proven to be effective at a number of sites.

Sep 3, 2019

By Kazimierz Gwizdala

In recent years, in Poland the ATLAS piles have been successfully applied for some constructions near Gdansk. The piles have been used as foundations for housing and another areas of civil engineering, in delta Vistula geotechnical region, characterized by weak, highly compressible soils represented by mud and peat, lying in sub-surface layers, several meters thick. Usually below are dense sandy soils or gravel. In all cases, the base of ATLAS piles rested on sandy soils. The analysis of pile bearing capacity has been discussed and verified by static pile load tests (SPLT). The load-settlements characteristics obtained were satisfactory. In the paper, the results of geotechnical investigations as well as calculations and load tests are shown. The ecological aspects of ATLAS piles application within highly urban areas of the cities and complex geotechnical conditions are emphasized.

Jan 1, 2006

Welina mai to the 40th Underwater Mining Institute, UMI 2011 - Marine Minerals: Recent Innovations in Technology. Since the first conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1970, the UMI Founder Professor Robby Moore always insisted on actively seeking the participation of industry, academia, and government. History has proven the wisdom of this approach, which is probably the key to its survival for so many years. The UMI is very much influenced by the cyclical pressures of the minerals commodity markets. When minerals demand and prices are rising rapidly, industrial participation in the Institute dominates the agenda, and participants share optimistic and aggressive views of the commercial prospects of the day. When metals prices are falling and world economies lethargic, academic experts continue to provide guidance and breakthroughs in the concepts and practices of exploration, technology, and environmental protection. Throughout the ups and downs, government participants provide a stabilizing force with conservative and environmentally sensitive policy statements, patient development efforts with long-term objectives, authoritative resource assessments and, sometimes, much needed regulatory clarity.

Jan 1, 2011

By J. P. Harrison, J. A. Hudson

ABSTRACT: Given the current widespread use of numerical models for rock mechanics and rock engineering, and the ‘Technology Road Map’ theme of the Congress, it is timely to consider the key issues in matching numerical models to rock engineering problems. The three main aspects are: a) identifying the mechanisms, variables and parameters that are relevant to a particular rock engineering project; b) establishing the content and mode of operation of a particular code; and c) deciding whether a particular code provides an adequate model for a particular project. We summarise the key issues, highlighting the concept of rock mass domains, validation and the ability to present the results of a modelling exercise. We include three compact numerical modelling case examples to illustrate the points. Finally, we also present a ‘roadmap’ to assist in the process of matching a numerical model to the rock reality. RESUME: Considérant l’utilisation généralisée des modèles numériques en mécanique des roches et en ingénierie au rocher ainsi que le thème du congrès ‘technology road map’, il est opportun d’aborder les problèmes essentiels liés au choix des modèles numériques dans les problèmes ingénierie au rocher. Les trois aspects principaux sont : a) l’identification des mécanismes, variables et paramètres appropriés au projet considéré, b) la définition du contenu et du mode de fonctionnement d’un code numérique donné, et c) la possibilité de décider si un code donné fourni un modèle approprié au projet considéré. Les points clés sont résumés en mettant en évidence les notions de “massif rocheux”, de validation et de capacité à présenter les résultats d’une approche numérique. Nous présentons trois brèves études de cas qui illustrent ces points. Enfin, nous proposons aussi un logigramme pour aider au choix d’un modèle numérique approprié pour représenter la réalité d’un problème au rocher. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Im Licht der augenblicklich weitverbreiteten Nutzung von numerischen Modellen in der Felsmechanik and im Felsingenieurbau und unter Beruecksichtigung der Themenstellung des Congresses “Technology Road Map”, erscheint es an der Zeit die Kernprobleme, die sich mit Fragen der Abstimmung der numerischen Modele mit Hinblick auf ihre Anwendbarkeit im Felsingenieurbau beschaeftigen, naeher zu befassen. Die drei wesentlichen Aspekte sind: a) Identifizierung der Mechanismen, Variablen und Parameter, die fuer ein bestimmtes Projekt im Felsingenieurbau von Bedeutung sind; b) die Festlegung des Inhalts und des Modus Operandi eines bestimmten Codes, und c) die Entscheidung darueber ob ein bestimmter Code ein hinreichendes Model fuer ein bestimmtes Projekt ergibt. Wir fassen die wichtigsten Punkte zusammen, heben dabei das Concept der Gesteinsmassen Domaenen (Rock mass domains) hervor, und erarbeiten ihre Beurteilung und die Moeglichkeit diese zu praesentieren in den Ergebnissen einer Model Uebung. Wir schliessen drei Beispiele von numerischen Modellen ein in denen diese Punkte erlauetert werden. Zuletzt schlagen wir eine “Roadmap” vor, um dem Prozess der Abstimmung des numerischen Modells mit der “Felsmechanischen Wirklichkeit” zu unterstuetzen.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. Fletcher, C. Calle, K. Constanti-Carey, R. Ruzbacky, M. D. Horne

Laboratory test-work has established that two classes of redox catalysts based on anthraquinone and bipyridinium derivatives are effective in accelerating the rate of removal of metallic iron from reduced ilmenite (RI) in the aeration step of the Becher process. Two water-soluble anthraquinone derivatives are efficient: 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonicacid, disodium salt (catalyst AQ-2,6) and 9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid, monosodium salt(catalyst AQ-2). When 0.2 per cent w/v of either was added during aeration the rate of metalliciron removal was accelerated by two to three times. Furthermore, the addition of either compound resulted in magnetite (Fe3O4), the iron oxide phase preferred in commercial practice, being formed. However, both AQ-2,6 and AQ-2 were rapidly lost from solution during aeration although their catalytic activities persisted even when their concentrations in solution were low(<0.05 per cent w/v). The negatively charged anthraquinones were lost from solution most probably by adsorption onto the magnetite that has a net positive charge at the pH values encountered during aeration. To address this problem, the catalytic activities of positively charged bipryridinium derivatives were tested. Two water-soluble bipyridinium compounds, paraquat (1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridinium dichloride) and diquat (6,7 dihydrodipyrido [1,2-a:2’,1’-c] pyrazinediiumdibromide), were found to significantly accelerate the rate of removal of metallic iron from reduced ilmenite, and both gave magnetite as the oxide product in the laboratory tests. Moreover, recycle tests showed they were not lost from solution as quickly as were the anthraquinone derivatives. Results in larger scale plant laboratory reactors also showed a significant increase in aerationrates when diquat was added and magnetite was again the oxide formed. However, the oxygensupply to the reactors was insufficient to achieve the maximum effect of the catalysts on theaeration rates. The limited supply of oxygen in a full scale aerator may prevent the application ofthe catalysts in a commercial Becher operation. Keywords: Becher process, aeration, anthraquinone, bipyridinium, redox catalyst, reduced ilmenite

Jan 1, 2003